TheSamba.com :: View topic - Lights and Signals (1971 Bay Window Bus-type II)

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:13 am

Left and right signals work fine when headlights are off. When I turn on the headlights a light on the dash comes on (this is just up and right of the steering wheel) first what light is this?
second, when the lights are on the right turn signal works and the left does not blink and is solid, but it blinks if the lights are turned off.

Any ideas?????

thanks!

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:24 am

The light on the dash is red with a "B" on it? That is supposed to tell you that your parking brake is on. It should turn off when the parking brake is not on.

This one:

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:36 am

The light on my 71 looks similar but is clear (maybe it should be red), there is no "B" on it and it is located further to the right just under the air system levers.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:42 am

Oh right, you have a 71 - sorry. I think that is the "brake warning" light on those years. Indicates low brake fluid or something. Some one else will know for sure...

Does that come on when you step on the brakes if the ignition is "half on"?

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:47 am

It is kinda weird because that light will go off when I press the brake pedal and when I take my foot off the brake it comes back on. The brake fluid was empty and I put more in and after I did that is when the light started coming on. Also, the light will go out if the headlights are off and only come on and off when the headlights are on.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:52 am

for 71, it will only light when there is a problem. it is red, and it is a 'push to test'. it will never come on unless there is a problem~ it is not linked to the hand brake, unless a P/O did something weird.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:55 am

It doesn't respond to the hand brake so I don't think it is related to that at all, but what sort of problem would it have? Brakes? Engine? What does this light tell me?
thanks!

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:57 am

Remove and clean all the tail light bulb sockets and grounding tabs on the light units and the body, you have ground issues my friend.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:58 am

start here

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/71bus.php

Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:59 am

awesome, what do you use to clean with, rubbing alcohol?
thanks busdaddy

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:02 am

Do you guys know what this light is connected to? electical problem, brake problem, etc...

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:08 am

That dash light is for your brakes. Not the hand brake (sorry, at first I didn't see that it was a 71), but your regular hydraulic brake system. You can see that it responded to the fluid that you added. It comes on first as a test - like your oil pressure and charging light - to prove that it works. That's a good sign, but you don't want it coming on when the key is in the "on" position and you press the brakes, that means one of two things:

1. You have brake fluid problems

2. you have electrical/grounding problems (which we already know you have, so start there).

Clean your light socket contacts with a little steel wool or even better: fine grit sandpaper. Just make sure they are clean enough to make electrical contact, no corrosion. Do the same for the bulbs. If the little spring in the socket is weak, give it a gentle push (with bulb removed) to tighten it back up.

Info about that light, from the 71 manual:

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:12 am

Yep steel wool, sand paper, tiny wire brush, etc, it has to be clean and shiny. A little vaseline after to prevent corrosion wouldn't hurt either.

As for the brake warning light? fix the tail lights first and see if the problem goes away, if it persists we'll get into testing procedures.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:12 am

Thanks to everyone. I have some work to do.
Should I bleed the front disc brakes? Will that help since there is probably air in them?

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:15 am

Well if you haven't changed the brake fluid in the last 2 years why not? it can't hurt.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:16 am

If there is "probably air in them" and your brake fluid was empty, as you said, then yes, for sure. Bleed the brakes! Don't skimp on your brakes. I lost my '61 panel (and thankfully not my life) because of foolish, cheap brake repairs when I was younger and dumber than I am now.

But you are still having OTHER electrical problems.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:37 am

Yeah, I just bought the bus a week ago and it is my first vdub. I don't know what sort of work has been done in the past or when it has been done. I changed the oil and it was really dark.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:52 am

Well, first off, welcome aboard!

Any oil that has been run in an engine will be dark. Don't worry about that.

Let's see some pics of your bus! How is it otherwise, runs and drives (watch out for those brakes!), or you trailered it home?

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:57 am

I actually drove it home, a bit scary. the engine runs good and the trans works nice. I do have a problem with it stalling as I stop and go into first gear though, which is also scary. It alwasy starts back up but I was thinking maybe it needs a tune-up or fuel pump work?
The engine bogs down when coming out of first too!
I will try and get some pics soon

Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:04 am

I was just gonna post and say PICS!! but I see the last sentence.. so I wait patiently. I love hearing the new stories of busses. Welcome!